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News Ofsted joy for Jubilee School


THE Jubilee School in Fant has been upgraded to become an “outstanding” school in all areas by education inspectorate, Ofsted.


Management was “perplexed”


and challenged the lesser “good” rating for teaching, learning and as- sessment outcome after a recent in- spection of the school, which opened in September 2014. Ofsted relented, and the Gatland


Road school was given the higher rating. The Ofsted report stated: “Pupils flourish and thrive because they are extremelywell looked after in a nur- turing environment. Individual aca- demic, social and emotional needs are carefully identified and sup- ported.


“Pupils love coming to school.


They are completely engaged in their learning and demonstrate ex- emplary behaviour.” Former head Anne Allen, who


was in charge at the time of the orig- inal inspection, told parents: “'A number of youwere as perplexed as wewere thatwe only got a ‘good’ for the teaching, learning and assess- ment outcome, where the descrip- tors clearly highlighted outstanding practice. “You will be delighted to hear that


we challenged this judgement and Ofsted agreed to moderate the evi-


East Farleigh lock reopens


THE recently-renovated East Far- leigh lock has been officially re- opened. On Saturday, September 2, resi-


dents and officials marked the oc- casion, with Maidstone mayor Malcolm Greer cutting the ribbon on the £3.6m project. The access point actually opened


for craft in July and Environment Agency bosses claim the lock is good for another century. The event was staged on the


same day as the annual Court of Survey Cruise, led Cllr Greer. The cruise, which was organised


by Hampstead and Yalding Cruis- ing Club (HYCC), was greeted by the Maidstone Sea Cadets and Mark Smurthwaite, who is the commodore of HYCC and chair- man of the Medway River Users’ Association. One onlooker said: “Itwas a sple-


did event.” Jumble sale


BAG a bargain at Maidstone Men- cap’s jumble and nearly-new sale on Saturday, October 14, at Cobtree Hall, Maidstone. Doors open at 2.30pm. Contact Lesley on 01622 892433.


dence once more. “As a result of this they agreed that


the overall judgement should have been outstanding and they have amended this. So this means our overall effectiveness judgement is outstanding.” Current head teacher Marilyn Nadesan said: “We are delighted at the outcome of the inspection and look forward to continuing on this journey where all staff and children are inspired, encouraged and chal- lenged to always give of their very best.”


Spokesman for the governing


body, Claire Maudhub, said: “Our intention in setting up the school was to provide another excellent choice for parents in our town. “The ‘outstanding’ judgement by


Ofsted is testament to the amount of hard work that has gone into estab- lishing the school. We would also like to thank all the positive mem- bers of the parent and local commu- nitywhohave been such a support.” Jubilee has courted controversy re-


cently by applying to double its entry level intake from 210 to 420 pupils and to extend its facilities, de- spite local protests.


No access to town hall


MAIDSTONE Town Hall will remain closed to the public unless a suitable tenant is found to man its reception desk. The decision to limit public access to the landmark building comes


after the lease held by Maidstone’s Involve Kent charity came to an end. A spokesman for Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) said if a new tenant is found then the historic town centre building may re- open to the public. In the meantime,


it is understood the building will continue to be used for council meetings, while other options are considered. Mark Green, director of finance at MBC, said: “The Town Hall has


never operated a daily, face-to-face contact for residents to access council services. Involve Kent was here for a period of time and provided a manned service point for its customers. However, this was not directly linked to the council.” The public building did act as a visitor information centre, but that stopped some years ago. Tourist information is now provided at Maidstone Museum. Mr Green added: “While budget constraints are making us look very


carefully at how money is spent, this was not a factor in this instance.” Involve Kent has relocated to the ground floor of The Mall shopping


centre, next to the entrance to the bus station. Its shop, which is also the venue for community workshops, is also a pick-up point for your Downs Mail in Maidstone. For distribution dates and other pick-up points visit www.downsmail.co.uk. Click on the “Distribution” tab and then the edition for your area.


Water works


A SCHEME costing £180,000 to im- prove 750 metres of unreliable water main in Heath Road, West Farleigh has been completed ahead of schedule, meaning an end to weeks of roadworks. The new pipeline replaces an old stretch of water main which kept bursting, causing customers to suf- fer loss of water supplies and low pressure. Work began in July and the proj-


ect was expected be finished around the end of September. Jeremy Dufour, project manager


at South East Water, said: “The team has worked hard to complete the scheme as quickly and safely as possible. We know roadworks can be frustrating and I’d like to thank residents and motorists for their patience and cooperation during these essential works.”


Cut from car


AWOMANhad to be cut from her car following a crash involving two vehicles in Headcorn onAugust 31. The woman, who was in a car


that ended up partly in a ditch fol- lowing the collision with a van in Black Mill Lane,was released from her car by firemen using hydraulic equipment. The accident happened at 9.15am and firefighters left the scene at just after 10am.


Maidstone Weald October 2017 19


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